Bible Commentaries

But speak thou (συ δε λαλε). In contrast to these Pharisaic Gnostics in Crete. Befit (πρεπε). Old verb to be becoming, seemly. See 1 Timothy 2:10; Ephesians 5:3. With dative case διδασκαλια. Sound (υγιαινουση). Healthful as in Titus 1:13; Titus 2:2; 1 Timothy 1:10, common word in the Pastorals.

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Aged men (πρεσβυτας). See Philemon 1:9 for this word. For discussion of family life see also Colossians 3:18-4; Ephesians 5:22-6; 1 Timothy 5:1-6. For the adjectives here see 1 Timothy 3:2; 1 Timothy 3:8; for the substantives see 1 Timothy 6:11.

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Aged women (πρεσβυτιδας). Old word, feminine of πρεσβυτης, only here in N.T. See πρεσβυτερας in 1 Timothy 5:2. Reverent (ιεροπρεπεις). Old word (ειροσ, πρεπε). Only here in N.T. Same idea in 1 Timothy 2:10. Like people engaged in sacred duties (Lock). In demeanour (εν καταστηματ). Late and rare word (inscriptions) from καθιστημ, deportment, only here in N.T. Not slanderers (μη διαβολους). See 1 Timothy 3:11; 2 Timothy 3:3. Nor enslaved to much wine (μηδε οινω πολλω δεδουλωμενας). Perfect passive participle of δουλοω, with dative case οινω. See 1 Timothy 3:8. "It is proved by experience that the reclamation of a woman drunkard is almost impossible" (White). But God can do the "impossible." Teachers of that which is good (καλοδιδασκαλους). Compound word found here alone, bona docentes (teaching good and beautiful things). A sorely needed mission.

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That they may train (ινα σωφρονιζωσιν). Purpose clause, ινα and present active subjunctive of σωφρονιζω, old verb (from σωφρων, sound in mind, σαοσ, φρην, as in this verse), to make sane, to restore to one's senses, to discipline, only here in N.T. To love their husbands (φιλανδρους εινα). Predicate accusative with εινα of old adjective φιλανδρος (φιλοσ, ανηρ, fond of one's husband), only here in N.T. Ανηρ means man, of course, as well as husband, but only husband here, not "fond of men" (other men than their own). To love their children (φιλοτεκνους). Another old compound, here only in N.T. This exhortation is still needed where some married women prefer poodle-dogs to children.

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Workers at home (οικουργους). So the oldest MSS. (from οικοσ, εργου) instead of οικουρους, keepers at home (from κοισο, ουρος, keeper). Rare word, found in Soranus, a medical writer, Field says. Cf. 1 Timothy 5:13. "Keepers at home" are usually "workers at home." Kind (αγαθας). See Romans 5:7. See Colossians 3:18; Ephesians 5:22 for the same use of υποτασσομα, to be in subjection. Note ιδιοις (their own). See 1 Timothy 6:1 for the same negative purpose clause (ινα μη βλασφημητα).

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The younger men (τους νεωτερους). Just one item, besides "likewise" (οσαυτως as in Titus 2:3; Titus 2:1; Titus 2:9), "to be soberminded" (σωφρονειν, old verb as in Romans 12:3). It is possible to take "in all things" (περ παντα) with σωφρονειν, though the editors take it with verse Titus 2:7.

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Shewing thyself (σεαυτον παρεχομενος). Present middle (redundant middle) participle of παρεχω with the reflexive pronoun σεαυτον as if the active voice παρεχων. The Koine shows an increasing number of such constructions (Robertson, Grammar, p. 811). See active in 1 Timothy 1:4. An ensample (τυπον). For this word see 2 Thessalonians 3:9; Philippians 3:17. Uncorruptness (αφθοριαν). Only example, from late adjective αφθορος (α privative and φθειρω).

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Sound (υγιη, Attic usually υγια in accusative singular), elsewhere in Pastorals participle υγιανων (verse Titus 2:1). That cannot be condemned (ακαταγνωστον). Only N.T. example (verbal, α privative and καταγνωστος) and in IV Macc. 4:47. Deissmann (Bible Studies, p. 200) quotes it from an inscription and the adverb from a papyrus. He that is of the contrary part (ο εξ εναντιας). "The one on the opposite side" (your opponent). Cf. verse Titus 2:9; 1 Timothy 5:14. May be ashamed (ινα εντραπη). Final clause with ινα and second aorist passive subjunctive of εντρεπω, to turn, in middle and passive to turn one on himself and so be ashamed (to blush) as in 2 Thessalonians 3:14; 1 Corinthians 4:14. This sense in the papyri. Evil (φαυλον). Old word, easy (easy morals), worthless; bad, as in 2 Corinthians 5:10.

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